Thursday, December 19, 2013

Proofs of provincial progress are depicted in these pictures from the community of San Pablo in Laguna, which celebrated its own fair in 1929. Here, one can see a representative San Pablo beauty. Extraordinary San Pablo pineapples and arrow root, and two specimens of San Pablo architectural skills: pavilions in the last fair held in that city.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

BOHOLANA'S BEST. The Queen of the 1934 Baclayon Petit Fair and her royal court.

Queen Cresencia I (Cresencia Ginete) reigned as Queen of the Baclayon (Bohol) Fair with her court: Hospicia Valeroso, Agripina Oppus, Cresencia Real, Catalina Pates and Cornelia Talip. Previous to this, the only known Miss Bohol ever to participate in the Manila Carnivals was Ascension Gaviola, Miss Bohol 1926, who joined the 1st Miss Philippines search that year.

After Amparo Reyes Karagdag doffed the Miss Luzon 1936 crown from her head, she chose a stellar path by becoming an actress of note, in a career that spanned for just a decade. Amparing was immediately snapped by Director Vicente Salumbides to appear in a starring role in the movie "Anghel sa Tukso", produced by his own studio, Salumbides Film Co. Ltd.

Salumbides was known to have squired the Carnival for possible movie talents. He cast Miss Cotabato, 1926 in a movie, gave her the screen name, Sofia Lota, and turned her into a major star. He even married Rosario Panganiban, Miss Pampanga 1926, who also appeared in several of his movies.

Amparo starred alongside leading man, Carlos Padilla, with Dina Valle and Vilma Valle providing able support. It was directed by Nemesio Caravana."Anghel na Tukso" was already being advertised as early as 1939 but it only premiered the next year.

In late 1940, she and Leopoldo Salcedo headlined "Carinosa", a lavish musical from Sanggumay Pictures, with music provided by Constancio de Guzman and helmed by Carlos Padilla. Other movies from this period included: "Pasalubong" and "Ikaw at Ako".

In January 1941, Amparo had second billing after leading lady Fely Vallejo in Dr. Francisco Santiago's glorious musical production, "Kundiman" (1941) from
Excelsior Pictures. She was paired with Ernesto de la Guardia, with Rampon Estella as Director. Miguel Velarde provided the music in this classic movie that premiered at the Grand Theater.

Post-war, she starred with Jose Padilla Jr. in Premiere's "Lihim na Bayani", released in 1949, and directed by favorite director, Ramon Estella. With Ely Ramos, she was featured in "Magkapilas na Langit", also shown in 1949. They were to be her last movies.

MEET ME AT THE CARNIVAL!

Perhaps, no other event has piqued the interest and stirred a nation’s imagination more than the fabled Manila Carnivals. Held from 1908-1939, the 2-week fair was organized as a goodwill event to celebrate harmonious U.S.-Philippine relations and to showcase our commercial, industrial and agricultural progress. Spectacular parades, lavish shows, firework displays and the crowning of the Manila Carnival Queen highlighted the "greatest annual event in the Orient". This blog recalls the glorious Carnival era via pictorial mementos and discussions of its historied past. See you at the fair!